Garden tool



Sept. 16, 1947. Y B, RUPL 2,427,369

GARDEN T001.

Filed Oct. 50; 1945 v 21 6/ 760!" J5. ZZ477/e Patented Sept. 16, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GARDEN TOOL John B. Ruple, Rifle, 0010. Application October 30, 1945, Serial No. 625,548

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to garden tools and is more particularly concerned with a combination garden trowel, asparagus cutter and Weeder.

One of the objects of the invention isto provide a tool of the character mentioned wherein the operating tool can be readily removed from the handle and reversed for other uses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a garden tool with a removable cutter especially adapted to various uses.

A further object is to provide a sectional tool of simpler and more compact construction than what is disclosed in prior devices.

With the foregoing and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention:

Figure 1 is a top plan view'of the device.

Figure 2 is a top plan view showing the blade reversed.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the blade.

Figure 4 is a top plan View of the handle with clamp sleeve removed.

Figure 5 is a view of the handle.

Figure 6 is a transverse section of the blade on line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the clamp sleeve.

Figure 8 is an end view of the sleeve of Figure 7, as viewed from the right.

Like numerals in the description and drawings designate the same parts of construction.

This tool is constructed in three parts or sections, a handle I, removable clamp sleeve or ferrule 2 and a removable, reversible cutting blade 3.

The handle is preferably made of hard wood turned, molded plastic or other suitable material. It consists of a knob-like grasp and cylindrical reduced portion or shank 4 having a fiat surface on one side through which is projected a bolt hole 5 that passes to the opposite side of the shank. The flat side is provided with a countersunk bolt nut 6.

Fitting on shank 4 is the clamping sleeve or ferrule 2 of generally tubular construction which has a compressed or inwardly crimped portion on one side of its outer end to form a relatively slotted orifice 1 arcuate on its outer side in conformity to the inner diameter of the sleeve for reception of the blade. The depression thus formed by the crimping or compression is conveniently located to serve as a thumb rest ad- Number 2 jacent the concave side of the blade. A bolt hole 8 in the sleeve is positioned to register with bolt hole 5 in the shank of the handle.

The blade 3 is arcuate-shape in cross section and constructed preferably out of strap steel, either galvanized or stainless, of suitable hardness for the Work. Each endis provided with a cutting edge of suitable shape but preferably, as shown, with a pointed barb 9 on one end and a claw or U-shaped cutter [0 on the other. The blade is of suitable length for garden work and its curvature conforms substantially to the periphery of handle shank 4 and interior diameter of sleeve 2.

As will be obvious, either end of the blade can be inserted between the shank of thehandle and the sleeve and fastened by means of an adjustable bolt I, whose end is adapted to impinge the blade. When desirable to remove the blade and reverse it, the bolt H is loosened.

Other removable tools besides garden tools may be used in conjunction with the handle and clamping sleeve without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In combination, a tool handle provided with a substantially circular shank, a removable annular clamp sleeve open at one end fitting on said shank and having an inwardly crimped side portion at the other end to provide a thumb rest, a removable blade curvilinear in cross section, fitting between said shank and clamp sleeve at the crimped end thereof and an adjustable, threaded bolt passing through one side of said sleeve and through said shank and impinging said blade.

JOHN B. RUPLE'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Burch July 11, 1911 Dunn June 14, 1910 Keehme Aug. 4, 1903 Witkowski May 2, 1916 Hertzberg Apr. 16, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Jan. 16, 1919 Number 

